Rock Island daily Argus., 1887-02-12

very promise, so the thoughts OF Rachel
Bond suffused with some brightness every
possible happening to him. If he achieved
anything the achievement would have for its
chief value that it won her commendation;
II he fell, the blackness of death would be
Silded by her knowledge that he died brave
mans death for her sweet sake
He listened awhile to the mournful whinny
OF the mules; to the sound of artillery rolling
up the resonant pike; TO the crashing of new
ly arrived regiments through the cedars as
they made their camps in line of battle: to
little spurts of firing between the nervous
pickets, and at last fell asleep to dream that
he was returning to Sarlis, nlaimel but hon
or crowned, TO claim Rachel as his exultant
bride.
The CErigtmas forenoon was quite well adj
vanced before the fatigue of Rachel Bonds
long ride was sufficiently abated 10 allow her
10 awaken. Then a soft hum of voices I'M
pressed itself upon her drowsy senses. and
she opened her eyes with the idea that there
were several persons in the room engaged in
conversation. But she saw that there was
only aunt Debby, seated in low rocking
chair by the lanly burning fire. and reading
aloud from large Bible that lay open upon
her knees.
Rachel stirred a little. and Aunt Debbv
looked up and closed the book
I'm afeared I've reused We up too soon,n
she said, coming toward the bed with a lock
OF real concern upon her sad, sweet face. Il
raylly didn't intend ter. jest opened the
book ter read the promise bout our Father
.lIt1t - III
read on. an when l read, must read out
loud, ter git the good of hit. Some folks
pretend they kin understand Jest ez well
when they read ter themselves. Mebbe they
kin
"Oh, no." replied Rachel cheerfully, you
didn't disturb me in the least 1t was time
that | got up, and was glad 10 hear YOU
read. I'm only troubled with the fear that
I've oversight myself, and missed the duty
that was intended for"
Make Yourself easy on thet ere score,
Ne'll not he needed to-day, nor likely to-mor-
row. Some things hev come up ter change
Jim's plans
4 am very sorry said Rachel, setting up
n the bed and tossing back her long, silken
name with single quick masterful motion.
1 wished TO go Immediately about what
am expected to do l can do anything bet
Ter than wait
Aunt Debby came impulsively to the bed
SIDE, threw an arm around RacheI's neck,
and kissed her on the forehead Il love We,
honey she said with admiring tenderness.
We re sich ez all women orter be. Yen
make heroes of yer husband and SONS Ye've
ylt to Farm, though, thet the most of a
woman's life, an the hardest part of hit, is
ter wait
In her tervld state of mind Rachel re
sppnded electrically to this loving advance,
made at the moment of all others when she
felt most in need of sympathy and love. She
put her strong arm around Aunt Debbv, and
held her for a moment close 10 her heart.
From thai moment the two women became
OF one accord, Womanlke, they sought re
llet from their high tension in light, irrele-
Fant talk and care for the trifiing details of
their surroundings. Aunt Debby brought
water and towels for Rachers toilet, and
fiuttered around her. soIicitous. helpful and
luotkeIly. ard Rachel weary of long com
IaHlonzhip with men. delighted in the rest
tulness q association once more with cen
tia. s'reet-mInded woman
The heavy riding habit was entirely too
cumbersome for indoor wear. and Rachel
TG; on Instead one OF Aunt Debbv's .linsavr
y5nS. taat hung from peg, and laughed at
th' psIm. demure mountain girl she saw in
The glass. After good breakfast had still
far!h'r raised her spirits she ventured upop
a liltle plaasautry about the dramatic posi-
tili-,-s f yeung lady who could assume
g. .gnH ! = I.
Tn" iog passed Gmetly, with Rachel study
~ such Of the Christmas festivities as were
'isih'7 from the window, and from time to
5,ms oNc!aT-IEg personal history with Aunt
Hri,hv She learned that the latter had loft
her home IT. the RoCkcastle mountains with
t,e lHlnr army in the previous sprinr. and
emo TO Chattanooga. to assist her nephew.
FtE;ag". IN obtaining the required inforrna-
t;on rlcr 1iitcheifs army advanced against
tlat place N ttic summer When the army
reireated 10 the Ohio, IN September. she bad
conc as fdI back As MurfreCsboro. and there
sr"fEvd 10 await the aImrs return which
-iss was confident would not be long DELAYED.
How brave and devoted YOU have been"
said Rachel warmly. as Aunt Debbv con
Guided her mpdestly told story. No man
could have done better
No. honey. replied the elder woman with
her wan face colorrng family, I've done moth
n but my plain duty, ez | seed hit I've done
nnthin ter what they wouldve done hadn't
TREY been taken from Ele afore they had
chance Like one who speaks ter Us inthe BOOK.
I've been IN Journeyins often, i'll perils of rob
beTs. III per'ils of mine own countrvmcn, in
perlls in the city. in perils in the wilderness, in
WEAKNESS an Painfulness, in watrhInrs
often, in hunger an thirst, in Hastings often,
IN cold an nakedness, but lie warns us not
ter glory in these things, but in those which
aliiaarn our infirmitieS"
How great should he your reward"
Don't speak Of reward only want Iay
fr-siom when I've armed hit-the freedom
tor leave an arth on which I've been left be
hind, an 90 whar my husband an son are
uatin fur ne
She rose and paced the floor. with her face
and eyes shining.
Have Yea no fear Of death whateyer!7
asEed Rachel ii amazement
"Fear of death Child, why should fea-
caafh' Why should l fear death, more than
the unborn child fears births Both are the
Hta4tI- III t-22Il L IL luE Ter lHtb DbucT
whaI they wait fur me- Hit is not even ez
Journey tar the next town--hit's only one
little step through the curtain o green grass
III vi9lcts on a sunny hillside-only one little
step
She turned abruptly, and going back to
aer chair by the fircsidc, seated herself in it,
and ciasping her knees with her hands, rocked
haci, and forth, and sang in q low. sweet
groom:
Oh the rapturous. transporting scene,
That rises ter my sight;
Sweet fields Grrayed in liyin green,
An rivers of delight.
~ Ger those wide. extended plains
Shines one eternal day;
Thar God. the Son, forever reigns,
An scatters night away.
No clillin' winds or poisonous breath
lin reach thet healthful shore;
Sickness an sorrow. pain an death,
Are felt an feared no more.